Jay Leno has driven practically everything, from priceless classics to modern hypercars, so impressing him with a 38-year-old sports sedan is no small achievement. Yet the original BMW M5 managed to do exactly that during a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.
Joined by automotive historian Donald Osborne, Leno sampled a 1988 BMW M5 from the Audrain Automobile Museum. The pair compared it with a 2020 Mercedes-Maybach S560 4MATIC, exploring two very different approaches to luxury and performance.
While the Maybach impressed with its refinement, the BMW quickly captured Leno’s attention. Its manual transmission, beautifully balanced handling, and smooth straight-six reminded him why he loved BMWs of that era.
For enthusiasts who consider the E28 M5 one of BMW’s finest creations, Leno’s reaction will sound familiar. Nearly four decades later, the original M5 still delivers an experience that modern performance sedans struggle to replicate.
An Engine That Left A Lasting Impression
Under the hood sits BMW’s legendary 3.5-liter M88-derived straight-six, producing approximately 256 horsepower in U.S. specification. Paired with a five-speed manual transmission, it helped establish the M5 as one of the original high-performance luxury sedans.
During the drive, Leno praised the engine’s remarkable smoothness, comparing its character with the classic BMW six-cylinder engines he remembered from his younger years. He described one of those earlier engines as the smoothest he had ever driven, while expressing similar admiration for the M5.
A Sports Sedan That Still Feels Modern
Leno was equally impressed by the BMW’s steering, handling, and driving position. Despite its age, he remarked that the M5 felt like something that could still be sold in a showroom today.
He also praised its accessible performance, noting that drivers could enjoy the engine’s capabilities without reaching the extreme speeds associated with modern high-horsepower cars. For Leno, today’s Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing represents a spiritual successor to that formula.
The Original M5 Has Become Expensive
Osborne estimated that a comparable E28 M5 had appreciated from approximately $130,000 to $190,000 over five years. That valuation surprised Leno, who admitted he would find the BMW considerably more tempting at $80,000 or $90,000.
The pair also discussed the practical challenges of owning an aging performance car, including maintenance costs and parts availability. Although Leno adored the driving experience, he questioned whether the M5’s collector-car premium made financial sense compared with a new Blackwing.
A BMW That Lives Up To Its Reputation
By the end of the drive, both men agreed that the original M5 deserved its legendary status. Leno particularly appreciated its timeless design and the connection between driver and machine.
His biggest disappointment wasn’t the engine, handling, or even the air conditioning, which initially appeared faulty because they hadn’t switched it on. It was simply that such an enjoyable car has become too expensive for many enthusiasts to experience.